Lao pencak silat athletes had the opportunity to test their skills at an event held at Lao-ITECC on Monday.

After training in Hanoi , Vietnam , for six months this year, the national team is currently finalising SEA Games preparations at the National Sports Training Centre.

At the warm-up meet, athletes in the 50, 55, 60, 65 and 70kg weight divisions contested the fighting event, while mixed doubles teams showed their skills in the dancing event.

The Lao Pencak Silat Federation's Deputy Technical Secretary, Mr Vanxay Baophom, said the event primarily included fighters listed as substitutes for the games, a move to ensure top-line fighters were not injured so close to the big event.

The federation has selected males in the 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 and 85kg weight divisions for the games, as well as females in the 50, 55, 60 and 65kg weight classifications. A number of substitute fighters have been named for each category.

The federation used yesterday's event to test the newly refurbished indoor stadium, as well as organisers' readiness for the games, by including announcements, a flag raising ceremony and medal presentations.

The federation declared the event a success, with just some minor adjustments to be made before the start of the SEA Games.

Lao-ITECC will host the sepak takraw, wushu and pencak silat events during the games.

The SEA Games Organising Committee has finished installing arenas, seating and sports equipment at the stadium. Each of the three arenas has seating for 400 spectators.

A total of 18 Lao pencak silat athletes trained in Vietnam from June to November under the guidance of Mr Nguyen Huy Dong from Vietnam and Mr Sulrianto from Indonesia .

The team has been supported by the Lao National Sports Committee and the Vietnamese government.

Mr Sulrianto coached the Lao national team during the last SEA Games in 2007 where they won a bronze medal.

Laos also won bronze medals in pencak silat at the 18th SEA Games in Thailand in 1995 and 19th SEA Games in Indonesia in 1997.

Competitions at this year's games will consist of a tanding (fighting style) event for men in the 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75 and 85kg categories, and 50, 55, 60 and 65kg categories for women. There will also be single and teams seni (dancing style) competitions.